WIECKOWSKI,
REV. MSGR. JOHN F. 91,
of Cherry Hill on August 6, 2003. Born in Philadelphia, PA on May 20,
1912, Msgr. was raised in Camden and attended St.
Joseph Grammar School, South Camden and Camden
Catholic High School. He studied for the priesthood at St. Charles
College, Catonville, MD, St. Bonaventure Seminary, Allegany, NY and Mt.
St. Mary's Seminary, Emmitsburg, MD. After ordination at St. Mary's
Cathedral, Trenton on April 16, 1938, Msgr was assigned as associate
pastor at St. Joseph Parish, East Camden.

On Nov.
4, 1942 he was commissioned a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army and
served as chaplain with the 79th Artillery Division. After stateside
duty in Texas and Mississippi, he served in Plymouth, England, Normandy,
France shortly after D Day. He saw duty in Belgium and Holland and was
with the first American troops to cross the Rhine into Germany. He
completed his tour in Czechoslovakia and was discharged a Major.
Returning to St. Joseph, East Camden, Msgr. served until his appointment
as pastor of St. Catherine, Clayton in 1948. In 1951, Msgr. arrived in
Annunciation Of The Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Bellmawr where he
served for 38 years. Until his retirement in 1985, Msgr. has served as
the Chaplain of the Ladies Auxiliary of Catholic War Veterans, a member
of the board of Trustees of the Catholic Star Herald, and was named a
Prelate of Honor in 1967. Msgr. is the beloved uncle of many and the
brother-in-law of Mary Weichowski of Blenheim.